Renewable energy boosts island economies

Aerial view of the Viking Energy wind farm. Photo: John Coutts.

Two major clean energy projects have boosted the UK economy by £125 million, new figures show.

SSE today (Wednesday) revealed the scale of the investment in energy supply to Shetland resulting from the Viking Energy wind farm and HVDC interconnector.

SSE Renewables’ Viking Wind Farm contributed £80 million, while SSEN Transmission’s undersea cable contributed £45 million.

SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said maximising “economic opportunities” for island communities was an “important part” of the clean energy transition.

“We have been privileged to work with a wide range of local companies to develop and build the wind farm and subsea link,” Mr Phillips-Davies said.

He said he hoped the company would be able to make a “significant contribution” to the Shetland economy in the coming years, describing the islands as a “hub for clean energy generation”.

Many businesses have benefited from the investment, including large accommodation companies, transport firms and self-employed individuals.